Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute

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Cross-cutting approaches

Supporting ethical, social and behavioural research
  • https://www.sydney.edu.au/infectious-diseases-institute/our-research.html Our research
  • https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/industry-and-community/support-us.html Support us

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Our cross-cutting research transcends disciplinary boundaries and has relevance across multiple research themes. It involves the integration of knowledge, methodologies, and approaches from various disciplines to contribute to the complex infectious disease challenges that we work on.

Themes

One Health

We bring together experts in veterinary epidemiology, public health, microbiology, social sciences, ecology and environmental sciences to:

  • conduct research on social and ecological determinants of zoonotic and other diseases
  • investigate drivers of emerging and AMR infections and their impact on humans, animals and food
  • develop measures for preventing and predicting emerging zoonoses and their impacts
  • advance surveillance and veterinary epidemiology training in Australia and globally
Seed funding includes:
  • Metagenomics for carcass site emerging infectious disease and rabies surveillance in India: This project aims to provide a strong foundation for surveillance systems to mitigate zoonotic disease risks, aligning with the One Health framework to address emerging infectious disease challenges at ecosystem-animal-human interfaces. This project is led by Associate Professor Victoria Brookes.
  • Phage formulations targeting Rhodococcus equi a major respiratory pathogen: This project will combine unique expertise in microbiology, infectious diseases and pharmacology to provide effective and innovative treatments to address a critical gap in current disease management, improving equine health and welfare and minimising economic burden. This project is led by Dr Carola Venturini.
  • Q fever: A new approach to combatting an old Australian livestock problem. This project is led by Associate Professor Kate Bosward.

Infection prevention and disease control

Our goal is to improve health outcomes and health service delivery with respect to infectious diseases, infection prevention and disease control, and associated disciplines locally, nationally and internationally through leading, facilitating and evaluating quality research that develops new knowledge and advances in research and clinical practice.

  • Research and Practice Priorities for Infection Prevention and Control Australia (RICA): This project aims to establish research and practice priorities for infection prevention and control in Australia. These priorities aim to key identify areas for improvement and focus, and subsequently guide the broad direction of research and allocation of resources.
  • Developing and Establishing Minimum Practice Standards for Infection Control Professionals in Australia (AusPracICP): Infection control professionals (ICPs) are key to the successful implementation of infection control programs and practices in healthcare. This project will examine the current competency standards for ICPs and establish a set of minimum standards for the profession.
  • Nurse-led improvements to the quality and safety of residential aged care (HIRAID Aged Care): This project will see the adaptation and implementation of the nursing framework HIRAIDTM to the residential aged care sector. Infection and infectious disease outbreaks cause considerable morbidity and mortality to older people. This study aims to introduce a standardised nursing assessment tool to help nurses make better decisions and manage the complex health needs of older people more consistently.

Social science and health literacy

This research explores how human behaviour impacts the spread of infections and identifies the most effective ways to communicate health risks, enabling doctors, patients, and the community to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to more effective interventions and improved health outcomes.

  • Optimising youth-centred health communication via social media during COVID-19 and beyond, led by Associate Professor Carissa Bonner.
  • Transforming health literacy in Australia: a partnership approach, led by Professor Kirsten McCaffery.
  • The Zvandiri (As I am) character strength and its constructs among adolescents living with HIV in Zimbabwe, led by Associate Professor Sarah Bernays.
  • ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, led by Professor Alex Broom.

Clinical trials

Our aim is to improve healthcare  by designing and implementing next generation pragmatic and adaptive clinical trials. We provide a deeper and more holistic understanding of disease that aids in more informed and personalised healthcare decisions.

  • The Platform Trial in COVID-19 Boosting: stage 2 (PICOBOO-2), led by Professor Tom Snelling

Contact us

Email
infectious.diseases@sydney.edu.au

Mailing address
Westmead Hospital
Level 5, Block K 
Westmead NSW 2145